Small House of Everything

Thursday, March 26, 2015

UNDERAPPRECIATED MUSIC: JOHNNY RIVERS.

Louisiana born Johnny Rivers recorded his first record at fourteen when he was still John Ramistella. It wasn't until two years later that famed DJ Alan Freed suggested that he take the name Rivers.

Rivers was performing at the Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles when he recorded his first hit album. On track, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee" went on to sell more records than Berry's original album.

He's had many hits over the years and still performs fifty to sixty shows a year.

Memphis, Tennessee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAc0FKyBgks

The Poor Side of Town:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n4-GU3VqDs

Mountain of Love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hLfbLhXugs

Secret Agent Man:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iaR3WO71j4

Summer Rain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xCIDwC3CwI

The Midnight Special:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TXfcsFhc7A

Baby I Need Your Lovin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zajnovNicro

Slow Dancing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NjFr_1BUR8

Mystery Train:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr7zHHf4eW4

Maybelline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MXxfftWnHs

Seventh Son:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc0ye-LJAdE

And here's his first single, before he was Johnny Rivers -- Little Girl: